Back stretching machine

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for stretching the lower back. A person lie supine on a horizontal padded surface at the end of which are two vertical rigid foot bars. The person wears a waist band around his waist and connects the waist band to left and right elastic members, each of which is connected to a respective foot bar. By pushing his feet against the foot bars, the person pushes the remainder of his body away from the foot bars, thereby stretching the elastic members and imposing a therapeutic force on his lower back.

BACK STRETCHING MACHINE

This is a continuation in part of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/235,183, filed Sep. 16, 2011.

I. Field of the Invention

The present application relates generally to back stretching machines.

II. Background of the Invention

Back stretching machines have been introduced to help a person stretch their back, typically focused on the lower back, to alleviate pain and provide therapy. As understood herein, many such machines suffer from the drawback of imposing a one-size-fits-all stretching regime on users. For example, inclined or vertical boards on which a person hangs to allow gravity to pull the upper body down away from the elevated lower back places the entire weight of the upper body at the stretching point, and moreover can deleteriously cause higher blood pressure in the person's head. Moreover, a person typically must accept that the stretching force is imposed straight along the spine, when a person's particular back malady may be better treated by allowing the person to establish the force off-axis from the spine and to vary both the magnitude and direction of the stretching force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a back stretching apparatus includes a base on which a person can lie. The base includes an upper padded surface on which a person can lie supine when the base is in a therapy orientation in which the base is oriented horizontally relative to the ground, upper padded surface facing up. Left and right rigid foot bars are arranged at a first end of the base and are oriented vertically and extend above the upper padded surface when the base is in the therapy orientation. The left and right foot bars are located along the first end and spaced laterally from each other such that a person lying supine on the upper padded surface of the base can place his left and right feet respectively against the left and right rigid foot bars.

Elongated left and right elastic members each have respective foot ends attached respectively to the left and right foot bars. The left and right elastic members each define a respective waist end opposite the respective foot end, and each left and right elastic member is materially biased to a short configuration in which the elastic member defines a first length and being stretchable to an elongated configuration in which the elastic member defines a second length longer than the first length. A waist belt is connectable to the left and right elastic members at left and right locations on the waist belt. The waist belt is configured for snug placement around the waist of a person. A person wearing the waist belt around his waist and lying supine on the upper padded surface of the base when the base is in the therapy orientation with the left and right elastic members interconnecting the waist belt and the left and right foot bars can place his left and right feet against the left and right foot bars, respectively and push his feet against the left and right foot bars to urge the elastic members toward the second configuration, thereby placing a force on the person's lower back.

In example embodiments a respective foot eyelet is engaged with the foot end of each elastic member and a respective waist eyelet is engaged with the waist end of each elastic member. Left and right belt eyelets are arranged on the waist belt at substantially diametrically opposed portions of the waist belt, and the waist eyelets of the elastic members are engageable with respective belt eyelets of the waist belt using respective left and right belt connectors.

Also, in some implementations left and right foot eyelets are respectively arranged on the left and right foot bars. The foot eyelets of the elastic members are engageable with respective foot eyelets of the foot bars using respective left and right foot connectors.

If desired, four legs can support the base above the ground in the therapy orientation. The legs may be foldable between a vertical configuration, in which the legs are perpendicular to the upper padded surface of the base, and a horizontal configuration, in which the legs are folded flat against a bottom of the base. Also, the base may include first and second portions. The first and second portions are co-planar in the therapy orientation, with the first portion being foldable flat against the second portion for compact stowage. Each foot bar may include plural openings spaced vertically from each other along the foot bar. Each of the openings can be engaged with a foot eyelet of the foot bar, such that a person can selectively engage a foot eyelet of each foot bar at a desired opening of the foot bar to thereby establish the elevation of the foot end of the respective elastic member.

In another aspect, a method includes instructing a person to lie flat on an upper surface of a horizontally-oriented base, with left and right foot bars at one end of the base rising above the upper surface. The method includes instructing the person to don a waist belt positioned around the person's waist, instructing the person to connect respective first ends of left and right elastic members to respective left and right foot bars above the upper surface of the base, and instructing the person to connect left and right segments of the waist belt to respective second ends of the left and right elastic members. The method further includes instructing the person to push his feet against the foot bars to thereby push his head away from the foot bars to provide a force on the person's back.

In another aspect, an apparatus has a flat base on which a person can lie when the base is oriented horizontally. At least one vertical element is located at one end of the base against which a person can push his foot when lying on the base. A waist garment is configured for placement around a person's waist, and at least one stretchable elastic element interconnects the waist garment with the vertical element. The elastic element is stretched from a materially biased configuration by a person lying on the base and tensioning the stretchable elastic element by pushing against the vertical element to thereby apply force to the person's back via the waist garment.

The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the present back stretching machine;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the elastic bands with S-clips in an exploded relationship with respective eyes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a back stretching apparatus 10 includes a base 12 on which a person can lie. The base 12 is generally parallelepiped-shaped and may be made of a suitable preferably rigid material such as Aluminum, Carbon fiber material, or plastic.

As shown, the base 12 includes a rectangular periphery 14 and in one implementation an upper padded surface 16 is bounded by the periphery 14. In other embodiments the upper padded surface 16 can extend completely to the edges of the base 12. Referring briefly to FIG. 2, an example upper padded surface 16 can include upper and lower layers 18, 20 of foam material covered by a protective vinyl cover 22, with the lower layer 20 being positioned against a bottom plate 24 of the base 12 and with the vinyl cover being substantially co-planar with the top surface of the periphery 14 of the base 12 shown in FIG. 1.

If desired, the base 12 may include left and right portions 12 a, 12 b that can be connected at a hinge joint 26 and that can be folded away from each other as shown in FIG. 1 into a therapy orientation in which the base 12 is oriented horizontally relative to the ground, upper padded surface 16 facing up. The portions 12 a, 12 b can be folded toward each other as indicated by the arrow 28 with the first portion 12 a being folded flat against the second portion 12 b for compact stowage. The portions 12 a, 12 b may be the same size as each other or one portion may be smaller than the other portion.

To raise the upper padded surface 16 higher above the ground for the convenience of the user than it otherwise would be, four rigid vertical legs 30 can be provided at each corner of the base 12 to support the base 12 above the ground in the therapy orientation. If desired, as illustrated by the arrows 32 the legs can be hinged to the base 12 so that the legs 30 are foldable between the vertical configuration shown, in which the legs 30 are perpendicular to the upper padded surface 16 of the base 12, and a horizontal configuration, in which the legs 30 are folded flat against the bottom 24 of the base.

FIG. 1 shows that left and right rigid foot bars 34, 36 are arranged at a first end of the base 12 and are and oriented vertically to extend above the upper padded surface 16 when the base 12 is in the therapy orientation. The foot bars 34, 36 may also be hingedly joined to the base if desired to fold down against the base for compact stowage, or may be removably joined to the base for the same purpose. In any case, the left and right foot bars 34, 36 are located along the first end and spaced laterally from each other (preferably at each left and right edge of the base). A cross-bar 37 may connect the foot bars 34, 36 and may be oriented perpendicular to the foot bars 34, 36 as shown. The cross-bar 37 can be made integrally with the foot bars 34, 36 or it can be made separately and then joined to the foot bars by, e.g., welding. While FIG. 1 shows that the cross-bar 37 is connected at the top of the foot bars, in other implementations the cross-bar 37 may be connected lower on the foot bars, e.g., at the midpoints of the foot bars. In any case, a person lying supine on the upper padded surface of the base can place his left and right feet respectively against the cross-bar 37 and/or against the left and right rigid foot bars 34, 36. The foot bars 34, 36 may be separate structures as shown or may be left and right portions of a single plate-like structure.

Cross-referencing FIGS. 1 and 3, elongated left and right elastic plastic or rubber members 38, 40 such as bands each have respective foot ends 38 a, 40 a attached respectively to the left and right foot bars 34, 36. The left and right elastic members 38, 40 each define a respective waist end 38 b, 40 b opposite the respective foot end 38 a, 40 a, with each left and right elastic member 38, 40 being materially biased to a short configuration in which the elastic member 38, 40 defines a first length and being stretchable to an elongated configuration in which the elastic member 38, 40 defines a second length longer than the first length.

As also shown in FIG. 1, a waist belt 42 is connectable to the left and right elastic members 38, 40 at substantially diametrically opposite locations 44, 46 on the waist belt. By “substantially diametrically opposite” is meant between an angular difference of ninety degrees and two hundred seventy degrees, although locations other than substantially diametrically opposite may be used. The waist belt 42 is configured for snug placement around the waist of a person, and may include a detaching mechanism 48 such as a buckle to join and unjoin the ends of the waist belt at the buckle.

It may now be appreciated that a person wearing the waist belt 42 around his waist and lying supine on the upper padded surface 16 of the base 12 when the base 12 is in the therapy orientation with the left and right elastic members 38, 40 interconnecting the waist belt 42 and the left and right foot bars 34, 36 can place his left and right feet against the left and right foot bars 34, 36, respectively, and push his feet against the left and right foot bars 34, 36 to urge the elastic members 38, 40 toward the second (stretched) configuration, thereby placing a force on the person's lower back.

In example embodiments, as best illustrated in FIG. 3 a respective foot eyelet 50 is engaged with the foot end of each elastic member and a respective waist eyelet 52 is engaged with the waist end of each elastic member. The eyelets may be metal posts terminating in closed rings, with the posts being embedded in the elastic member, although other eyelet structure may be used. Also, right and left belt eyelets 54, 56 (in the example shown, loops of cord passed through the belt) can be arranged on the waist belt 42, and the waist eyelets 52 of the elastic members are engageable with respective belt eyelets of the waist belt using respective left and right belt connectors 58, 60. In the non-limiting example shown the belt connectors are S-shaped, it being understood that other connectors such as but not limited carabiner-type clips or other clipping or connecting structure such as detent and cavity connectors may be used, preferably so long as connection and disconnection is rendered simple and easy.

Also, left and right foot eyelets 62, 64 may be arranged on the left and right foot bars 34, 36. The foot eyelets 62, 64 may be metal posts terminating in closed rings, with the posts being threaded into a respective opening 66 in the foot bar 34/36. If desired, each foot bar may include plural openings 66 spaced vertically from each other along the foot bar as shown, with each of the openings being engageable with a foot eyelet of the foot bar, such that a person can selectively engage a foot eyelet of each foot bar at a desired opening of the foot bar to thereby establish the elevation of the foot end of the respective elastic member. Or, each opening 66 may be provided with a respective eyelet 66 a as shown. In any case, the foot eyelets 50 of the elastic members 38, 40 are engageable with respective foot eyelets 62, 64 of the foot bars 34, 36, in the non-limiting example shown using respective left and right foot connectors 68, 70 that, like the other connectors, may be S-shaped connectors or other appropriate connectors.

To instruct a person how to use the apparatus 10, a substrate 72 may be provided bearing instructions which instruct a person to lie flat on the upper surface 16 of the horizontally-oriented base 12, don the waist belt 42 by fastening it around the person's waist, and connect respective first ends of the left and right elastic members 38, 40 to the respective left and right foot bars 34, 36 above the upper surface of the base. The instructions may also instruct the person to connect left and right segments (e.g., the loops 54, 56) of the waist belt 42 to respective second ends of the left and right elastic members 38, 40, and then push his feet against the foot bars to thereby push his head away from the foot bars to provide a force on the person's back. In some embodiments the instructions may further advise the person to select a vertical location on the foot bars at which to attach the first end of each respective elastic member by means of the spaced openings 66 and eyelets 62/66 a. The person may also be instructed to vary a force applied to the foot bars from leg to leg to thereby move an axis of stretch against the person's back.

While the particular BACK STRETCHING MACHINE is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A back stretching apparatus, comprising: a base on which a person can lie, the base including an upper padded surface on which a person can lie supine when the base is in a therapy orientation in which the base is oriented horizontally relative to the ground, upper padded surface facing up; left and right rigid foot bars arranged at a first end of the base and oriented vertically and extending above the upper padded surface when the base is in the therapy orientation, the left and right foot bars being located along the first end and spaced laterally from each other such that a person lying supine on the upper padded surface of the base can place his left and right feet respectively against the left and right rigid foot bars; elongated left and right elastic members each having respective foot ends attached respectively to the left and right foot bars, the left and right elastic members each defining a respective waist end opposite the respective foot end, each left and right elastic member being materially biased to a short configuration in which the elastic member defines a first length and being stretchable to an elongated configuration in which the elastic member defines a second length longer than the first length; and a waist belt connectable to the left and right elastic members at left and right locations on the waist belt, the waist belt being configured for snug placement around the waist of a person, wherein a person wearing the waist belt around his waist and lying supine on the upper padded surface of the base when the base is in the therapy orientation with the left and right elastic members interconnecting the waist belt and the left and right foot bars can place his left and right feet against the left and right foot bars, respectively and push his feet against the left and right foot bars to urge the elastic members toward the second configuration, thereby placing a force on the person's lower back.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a respective foot eyelet engaged with the foot end of each elastic member and a respective waist eyelet engaged with the waist end of each elastic member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising left and right belt eyelets arranged on the waist belt at substantially diametrically opposed portions of the waist belt.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the waist eyelets of the elastic members are engageable with respective belt eyelets of the waist belt.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the waist eyelets of the elastic members are engaged with respective belt eyelets of the waist belt using respective left and right belt connectors.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the belt connectors are S-shaped.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising left and right foot eyelets respectively arranged on the left and right foot bars.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the foot eyelets of the elastic members are engageable with respective foot eyelets of the foot bars.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the foot eyelets of the elastic members are engaged with respective foot eyelets of the foot bars using respective left and right foot connectors.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising four legs supporting the base above the ground in the therapy orientation.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the legs are foldable between a vertical configuration, in which the legs are perpendicular to the upper padded surface of the base, and a horizontal configuration, in which the legs are folded flat against a bottom of the base.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base includes first and second portions, the first and second portions being co-planar in the therapy orientation, the first portion being foldable flat against the second portion for compact stowage.
 13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each foot bar includes plural openings spaced vertically from each other along the foot bar, each of the openings being engageable with a foot eyelet of the foot bar, such that a person can selectively engage a foot eyelet of each foot bar at a desired opening of the foot bar to thereby establish the elevation of the foot end of the respective elastic member.
 14. Method, comprising: instructing a person to lie flat on an upper surface of a horizontally-oriented base, left and right foot bars at one end of the base rising above the upper surface; instructing the person to don a waist belt positioned around the person's waist; instructing the person to connect respective first ends of left and right elastic members to respective left and right foot bars above the upper surface of the base; instructing the person to connect left and right segments of the waist belt to respective second ends of the left and right elastic members; and instructing the person to push his feet against the foot bars to thereby push his head away from the foot bars to provide a force on the person's back.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising instructing the person to select a vertical location on the foot bars at which to attach the first end of each respective elastic member.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising instructing the person to vary a force applied to the foot bars from leg to leg to thereby move an axis of stretch against the person's back.
 17. Apparatus comprising: flat base on which a person can lie when the base is oriented horizontally; at least one vertical element located at one end of the base against which a person can push his foot when lying on the base; waist garment configured for placement around a person's waist; and at least one stretchable elastic element interconnecting the waist garment with the vertical element and being stretched from a materially biased configuration by a person lying on the base and tensioning the stretchable elastic element by pushing against the vertical element to thereby apply force to the person's back via the waist garment. 